Native Northeastern Birds and Climate Vulnerability

Together, the group encountered three distinct birds. First, the group encountered the long thrill of the Winter Wren, a joyous and melodic call. Then, the group spotted the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet hopping along the forest floor, diving over and under upturned roots. John expertly mimicked these small bird’s call. And then, by the gazebo, the group spotted Eastern Phoebes flying around the roof, making a nest with twigs and plant material. John highlighted the difference between Phoebe’s call and the Chickadee’s which share a similar two-note pattern. 

Field Guide

Below, is a field guide to identifying the Winter Wren, the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and the Eastern Phoebe. Each bird has distinct features including their bird call, habitat preferences, and color. Just like other birds that you hear or see this spring, they are under the threat of habitat loss due to climate change. Many native northeastern birds, with a predicted three-degree Celius global warming, will lose large portions of their current habitat and only gain a small percentage back of their habitat range in warming northern climates. To learn more about each of these native birds, their current habitat and distinct ID features, and their climate-vulnerability, follow the guide below. Field Guide

Winter Wren

The small plump bird has brown feathers with darker tipped wings, tail, and underbelly. In proportion to the bird’s body, the Winter Wren’s tail is stubby while its legs are long with large talons. In addition, this bird can be identified by its long thin beak and round eyes. The Winter Wren is a relatively week flyer and often can be seen hopping with its tail straight out looking for insects around upturned roots and vegetation. Winter Wren live in the dense understory of eastern forests and nest in brush piles. During the summer, this bird can be found by streams foraging for insects in streambanks and off the water’s surface in evergreen forests. 

This tiny bird has a long and bubbly call distinct from other Wrens and is ten times more powerful by body weight than a rooster’s call. You can catch the Winter Wren’s call early in the morning between April and July during its mating season. During the winter, they spread across the eastern forests, moving from deeply forested areas to outer edges where they can be more frequently heard. 

Although Winter Wren’s are still widespread, due to their northern habitat, climate scientists predict that with a projected three-degree Celsius global warming, 91% of their habitat range will be lost (Climate Vulnerability Model, National Audobon Society). This will cut off the Winter Wren’s southern nesting range and cause this small ground bird to migrate further up north. To increase habitat for Winter Wren in developed northern landscapes, people can create backyard brush piles and plant native vegetation. 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

This tiny green-grey bird is smaller than a warbler and can be identified by a white eyeing and bar on its wing. Although this bird gets its name’s sake from the red marking of male’s heads, it is often hidden until trying to attract a mate. The trademark behavior of this fast moving and energetic bird is constantly flicking its wings. 

Ruby Crowned-Kinglets live in high conifer trees in northern regions and in western mountains during the summer and migrate south for the winter. These small birds attach their nests with twigs hanging below branches, most often in spruce trees, and line their cup-like-nests with moss, conifer needles, other plan materials, and even animal hair. They forage for insects through lower branches of trees and shrubs, moving quickly through foliage and can be identified by their frantic motions. Ruby Crowned-Kinglets will hover above foliage when foraging and can even catch insects mid-air.

The Ruby Crowned-Kinglet are relatively quiet birds but has a loud male call during migration and mating season. During other seasons, you can identify these birds call by a distinctive double noted melody. 

With a three-degree Celius increase due to global warming, 70% of Ruby Crowned-Kinglets habitat range will be lost. The majority of these birds will have to migrate further up north, only gaining 23% habitat range, to adjust to climate change (Climate Vulnerability Model, National Audobon Society). 

Eastern Phoebe

The brown and white bird is often an early sign of spring’s return. These small flycatchers sit up-right and wag their tails in a figure eight motion. Pheobe’s call is short, sweet, and mimicable by drawl, “Fee-be. Fee-be.” Their eponymous call should not be mistaken for Chickadees and is faster. 

Phoebes can be found in wooded neighborhoods, long fields and farm edges, and under bridge passes. Phoebes nest under overhang and eaves near streamside and woodland edges. They sit on low perches and line their nests with mud and grass. Using human-made structures, Phoebes live closer alongside humans and adapt to developing landscapes better than deep woodland birds. Also, Phoebes can reuse their nest structures year after year unlike other birds. They are hardier than other flycatchers and stay farther north during migration season. To support this bird’s habitat, people can put up small, knocked structures. 

Phoebes are less vulnerable to climate change than other birds. With a three-degree Celius global warming, 24% of their current habitat range will be lost while they will gain 46% range in warming northern regions (Climate Vulnerability Model, National Audobon Society). 

With spring nearly in full swing, other birds will be finishing their migration up north. Here is a guide by All About Birds to help you identify birds by shape including warblers! A perfect location for easy access bird watching in the Hilltowns is at Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield, MA home to HLT’s office.

Sources

• All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Guide to North American Birds, National Audubon Society